Cup holder



April 4, 1939.

H. PROJANSKY CUP HOLDER Filed March 10, 1958 In 7/612 201' HenryProjazwky Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 10,

3 Claims.

My present invention relates to novel devices to permit convenient handling of paper or like cups when filled.

The convenience inherent in single use containers is limited by difficulties experienced in handling cups after they have been filled. Such difliculties are not limited to the commonly noted objection to the handling of cups by individuals particularly when filled with a hot liquid. While that objection is serious, it is but a part of the problem of making the use of such cups more attractive and convenient in every Way.

As an example of the problem, the restaurant catering to the motoring public may be considered, for in such places, one of the occupants of a motor vehicle frequently purchases and brings to the other occupants their several orders. Accordingly, it is necessary not only to make the transportation of cups, sugar and spoons convenient but also to protect the contents from dirt and from spilling.

Cups are usually sealed with covers when they are to be carried, but no holders are available except those which because of their expense can be used only where their return may be assured.

In accordance with my invention, I provide an inexpensive holder which for maximum economy may be stamped out of any thin flat stock of suiiicient strength to support the weight of a full cup to establish a cup receiving aperture and a handle, with the disc-shaped stock removed to form the aperture establishing a satisfactory cover. The handle is shaped to be of adequate strength and to permit several handles to be commonly supported during the transportation of full cups.

Both the cover and the aperture in the holder are formed with recesses. The recess in the aperture is provided to permit lump sugar to be lodged between the holder and the wall of the cup. The recess in the cover is shaped to permit a spoon to be confined between the cover and the inner wall of the cup and to be blocked thereby so that the cover while constituting an effective enclosure may be readily dislodged by pulling out the spoon.

In accordance with my invention, the handling of full cups is greatly facilitated. While an added expense results to the restaurant owner, this expense is more than offset by the increased convenience to the purchaser and by the attractive advertising which my invention makes possible. Both the holder and the cover are adapted to bear advertising matter and the cover may be used as a coaster".

1938, Serial No. 195,087

As I have stated above, any suitable stock may be used in accordance with my invention so that while the cost is consistent with their single use, they may be used again by the purchaser. For example, the covers may not be used as such but distributed as coasters to insure effective advertising.

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated my invention to show its construction and typical uses so that its advantages may be readily appreciated. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cup showing my novel holder and cover, the use of the cover as a coaster being indicated.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the holder and cover showing their relationship during manufacture.

Fig. 3 is a view in cross section showing the relationship of the holder and cover and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of several holders positioned for common handling.

In Figs. 1 and 3, I have shown typical cups l and 2 which differ only in that the cup I includes an external flange 3 and an internal groove 4 to receive a cover slightly above the flange 3.

In accordance with my inventionI cut from thin stock of sufficient strength to support a full cup, holders generally indicated at H in Fig. 1. The holder H includes sides 5 and 6 tapered to define between them an angle of substantially 45 and arcuate ends I and 8 and has a cup-receiving aperture 9 concentric with the arcuate end 8, the other end portion establishing the handle Ill. The aperture 9 is preferably formed simultaneously with the formation of the external outline of the holder. While, as above stated, any 35 suitable material may be used, I prefer to use stock that permits the use of dies so that the completed holders and discs I l (the stock removed to establish the aperture 9) are simultaneously formed. 40

As will be apparent from Fig. 3, the diameter of the disc II is but slightly less than the diameter of the aperture 9. In the cup I, such a disc l I fits into the groove 4. The aperture 9 is of a size to either receive the flange 3 of the cup! or to encircle the cup 2 below its lip. With the cup 2, the thickness of its wall and the slight inward bulge thereof caused by the holder insures the position of the disc or cover ll above the holder.

Preferably the aperture 9 is formed with a recess l2 extending into the handle ID to permit lump or lumps of sugar to be lodged between the handle I0 and the wall of the cup.

The disc or cover I I is formed with a peripheral recess 13 shaped to receive the handle of the spoon l4 between it and the inner wall of the cup. In order that the handle of the spoon 14 may block the recess I3, the recess I3 should be made with reference to the shape of a particular spoon handle. The spoon l4 may be thus conveniently positioned within the cup during transportation and by withdrawing the spoon. from the cup, the cover II is dislodged.

It will be noted that the tapered handle I is of sufiioient width adjacent the cup to ensure adequate strength while permitting several handles ID to be commonly held.

The handles I0 and the disc or covers II are adapted to bear advertising matter. As shown in Fig. 1, the disc I I may be utilized as a coaster and if desired to be sold or distributed for ad-, vertising purposes solely for that purpose the disc Ill is formed without the recess l3.

As above stated, in the preferred embodiment of my invention, the holders and covers are simultaneously formed. They may be printed and packed in the position shown in Fig. 2 for maximum economy and convenience in transportation and in use. When the disc are to be used only as coasters, they will, of course, be separately packed.

In accordance with my invention I am able to provide inexpensive holders and covers adapted to make the handling of paper or like cups more convenient and at the same time adapted for effective and attractive advertising.

" What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

L A holder for paper cups and the like, said holder being formed of thin flat stock to present tapered sides and arcuate ends, said holder having a circular cup-receiving aperture concentric With the wider arcuate end and said narrower end constituting a tapered handle adequate for advertising matter and having maximum strength adjacent said cup-receiving aperture and permitting a plurality of handles to be commonly held in support of filled cups.

2. A holder for paper cups and the like, said holder being formed of thin flat stock to present tapered sides defining between them an angle of approximately 45 and arcuate ends, said holder having a circular cup-receiving aperture concentric with the wider arcuate end and said narrower end constituting a tapered handle adequate for advertising matter and having maximum strength adjacent said cup-receiving aperture and permitting a plurality of handles to becommonly held in support of filled cups.

3. A holder for paper cups and the like, said holder being formed of thin flat stock to present tapered sides and arcuate ends, said holder having a circular cup-receiving aperture concentric with the wider arcuate end and said narrower end constituting a tapered handle adequate for advertising matter and having maximum strength adjacent said cup-receiving aperture and permitting a plurality of handles to be commonly held in support of filled cups, said aperture being formed with a recess in said handle intermediate said sides to receive a lump of sugar between it and the Walls of said cup.

HENRY PROJANSKY. 

